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16/10/2008
Fire Service Invest For Future
Almost two-dozen new fire stations are on the way at locations right across the Province as part of a major redevelopment and investment in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS).
Replacement fire appliances with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and computer terminals and screens in their vehicles will also bring the service right up to date too.
The NI Public Safety Minister, Michael McGimpsey today announced details of a major £26 million capital investment over the next three years which will see new fire appliances, fire fighting equipment, and up-to-date IT systems as well as beginning the process of replacing or modernising many fire stations.
With total planned investment of some £168m over the next decade, the NIRFS intends to replace 26 stations, including the purchase of 22 new sites and the refurbish a further 10 existing ones.
A number of new pumping appliances will also be replaced annually until 2017 under the Fleet Replacement Strategy. This funding will include £30m for the planned new Public Sector Training College at Desertcreat near Cookstown which is being developed by the NIFRS, the PSNI and the NI Prison Service.
Speaking at an emergency response training exercise in Belfast, the Minister said: "A world-class health service needs a modern and responsive emergency service.
"The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service does a tremendous job in responding to a wide range of emergency incidents from fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist rescue calls. It is essential that we provide both front line staff and management with the necessary infrastructure to enable them to continue to deliver a quality, efficient and effective service to everyone in Northern Ireland.
"I therefore plan to invest a further £14 million over the next three years which is in addition to the original £12 million already allocated as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
"Over the next 10 years I plan to invest some £168 million. This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure."
There will be new fire appliances as well, with 11 frontline appliances replaced each year, each one being equipped with the very latest in technology.
Also, to assist the firefighters with critical risk information at incidents, a Mobile Data System with satellite navigation will be provided which will include computer terminals and screens in their vehicles.
This will ensure that firefighters are able to carry out their life-saving work in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern.
"The Fire and Rescue Service has also identified the need to modernise or replace a number of their stations. Over the next three years, as well as the completion of a replacement Fire Station in Armagh City, new stations will be built in Omagh, Fintona, Cushendall and Newtownstewart.
"We will be looking to purchase suitable sites in other high priority locations across Northern Ireland," concluded the Minister.
(BMcC)
Replacement fire appliances with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and computer terminals and screens in their vehicles will also bring the service right up to date too.
The NI Public Safety Minister, Michael McGimpsey today announced details of a major £26 million capital investment over the next three years which will see new fire appliances, fire fighting equipment, and up-to-date IT systems as well as beginning the process of replacing or modernising many fire stations.
With total planned investment of some £168m over the next decade, the NIRFS intends to replace 26 stations, including the purchase of 22 new sites and the refurbish a further 10 existing ones.
A number of new pumping appliances will also be replaced annually until 2017 under the Fleet Replacement Strategy. This funding will include £30m for the planned new Public Sector Training College at Desertcreat near Cookstown which is being developed by the NIFRS, the PSNI and the NI Prison Service.
Speaking at an emergency response training exercise in Belfast, the Minister said: "A world-class health service needs a modern and responsive emergency service.
"The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service does a tremendous job in responding to a wide range of emergency incidents from fires, road traffic collisions and other specialist rescue calls. It is essential that we provide both front line staff and management with the necessary infrastructure to enable them to continue to deliver a quality, efficient and effective service to everyone in Northern Ireland.
"I therefore plan to invest a further £14 million over the next three years which is in addition to the original £12 million already allocated as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
"Over the next 10 years I plan to invest some £168 million. This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure."
There will be new fire appliances as well, with 11 frontline appliances replaced each year, each one being equipped with the very latest in technology.
Also, to assist the firefighters with critical risk information at incidents, a Mobile Data System with satellite navigation will be provided which will include computer terminals and screens in their vehicles.
This will ensure that firefighters are able to carry out their life-saving work in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern.
"The Fire and Rescue Service has also identified the need to modernise or replace a number of their stations. Over the next three years, as well as the completion of a replacement Fire Station in Armagh City, new stations will be built in Omagh, Fintona, Cushendall and Newtownstewart.
"We will be looking to purchase suitable sites in other high priority locations across Northern Ireland," concluded the Minister.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
